Christain Prayer

What is the most meaningful way for you to pray?

For me, the most meaningful way to pray is by writing down my prayers. That is how God made me, it is easier for me to write something, or read something, than it is to speak out loud, or listen to something. It also helps me to stay focused. My mind doesn't wander near as often when I'm writing as opposed to praying in my head our out loud. God has also spoken to me this way. Many times as I'm just pouring out everything on to paper, I realize that the things I'm writing couldn't possible be simply my own thoughts, but in some way, it is God speaking to me.

The Last Seven Commandments: Love of Neighbor

How can the commandments help you to love God? your neighbor? yourself?

The commandments help me to love by providing specific examples of what love is. Say love God, love your neighbor is a rather abstract statement. What does that mean? How do I do that? The commandments give specific examples of how I can put this into practice in my daily life.

If I love God, I will not put other things ahead of God. I will give God the most important place in my life. If I love God, I won't dishonor His name bu using it inappropriately. If I love God I will want to set aside time to worship and rest in His presence.

If I love my neighbor, I will honr my family and other people God has plaved in authority. If I love my neighbor, I will respect their lives, both their physical life and things such as their reputation. If I love my neighbor, I will try to live a purt life so I don't cause others to stumble. If I love my neighbor, I will respect their right to have things and I won't take them or wish harm on them.

If I love myself, I will respect my own body. I will be thankful for the gifts God has given me. If I love myself, I will remember that in doing harm to others, I am also doing harm to myself.

The First Three Commandments: Love of God

How do you show love for God? Share at least two different ways.

One way I show my love for God is through worship. By going to Mass each week I am setting aside time for God and making Him a priority. By fully participating in Mass I am giving God my love. I honor Him through my songs, words, prayers, thoughts, and actions.

Another way I show my love for God is by simply acknowledging Him in my daily life. When I pray when I wake up or before I eat or go to bed, when I see Him in the eyes of the children I work with, when I thank Him for the mountains or a beautiful sunset, when I ask Him for help in a difficult situation, I am loving Him.

The Christian Call of Holiness

Name occasions of grace in your life. Share some specifif ways various events, people, or gifts have been "grace" to you.

One of the first people that comes to mind when I thing of "grace" in my life is a friend from high school. It was because of her friendship and love that I started going to church and became a Christian. She and the many other people at that church were a huge source of grace as I started this journey.

Many of the trips I have taken have been sources of grace. I have developed gifts I already had and realized new gifts I've had to rely more completely on God. I have seen the body of Christ in many places and I learned to celebrate both our similarities and differences. I have seen much of God's wonderful creation. These experiences have left me changed.

Various books have also been grace in my life. I read a lot and there are more books than I can count that have spoken to me. I have been inspired by the lives of others, challenged to live a more godly life. I have encountered God by reading theology and been pushed to dig deeper in my faith. I have asked questions, sought answers, and developed more questions.

A number of friends have also been grace in my life. They have encouraged me, helped me see the gifts God has given me, supported me, challenged me, and often just reminded me of God's presence in my life.

Catholic Teaching on Social Justice

What do you see as the most pressing social justice issue in today's society? How should Christians respond to it?

I think the most pressing social issue is that we don't really recognize the essential equality among humans. If we were really to recognize that we are all part of the same human family and that we are all created in the image of God, and then to live as if this is true, we would not be able to do many of the things we do to each other. We would not be able to ignore the poor, either here or in other countries because they are our brothers and sisters. We would not be able to discriminate because of color or nationality or creed or anything because we are connected to these people. We would be more generous with the resources we have because we know they really belong to all of us.

The most basic way to solve this problem is to begin as individuals. We, as individual Christians, need to begin praying. We need to pray for our brothers an sisters, and as we pray, our hearts will be changed. We will begin living as if we really do believe we are equal and begin treating those around us as if it is true. If we as individuals live like this, others will take notice and it will begin to qpread to those around us.

Celebrating the Pascal Mystery through Liturgy and the Sacraments

Share a time when a particular liturgy was really a celebration for you. What did you "get" out of these celebrations? What did you "give" to them?

One of the my most celebratory experiences during a liturgy was this past Easter Vigil. It was only the third or fourth time I had been to Mass. The power of the whole things was just amazing. I remember the part when all the lights come on and everyone sings the Alleluia being so full of joy and celebration. I remember thinking this is what Easter is all about!

Even though I was just beginning this part of my journey at the time, I still got a lot out of the celebration. I got a sense of awe and wonder. I got to see the joy of people who were joining the Church. I got this little glimpse of what it means to be Catholic.

I was also able to give. I gave worship
to God and gave thanks for His death and resurrection. I gave support to the people joining the Church, even though I wasn't sure where I was headed, it is always exciting to see people draw closer to Christ.

Christian Destiny: The Last Things

How do the Christian teachings about the "last things" give you hope that this life has ultimate meaning?

Why am I here? What does all of this mean? The church helps give meaning to these questions. Because we know that life doesn't end with our time on earth, it is important that we figure our what that means. The hope and joy of heaven give us something to look forward to. We want to serve God and love God as best as we can here on earth because we also want to live with Him in heaven.

The end of life also gives meaning to our sufferings on earth. We know that if we persevere in our faith, there will be an end to all suffering. We also know that our sufferings purify us and draw us closer to God.

The Communion of the Saints and the Blessed Mother

What role does Mary play in your life?

Having been a fairly typical Protestant, Mary hasn't played a huge role in my life. Sure, we read about her every Christmas, but that has been about it. There has been, however, on verse that stood out. After Jesus was born and the shepherds visited, it says in Luke (2v19) "but Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart." I have always loved this verse because that is how I tend to react to big stuff. I tend to look inward and let the thoughts and feelings roll around inside for awhile before I am comfortable expressing them. So even though Mary hasn't been a big part of my faith, I have had this small connection with her.

It is interesting that as I have learned more about the Catholic Church and drawn closer, Mary has slowly crept into my life. It hasn't been any conscious decision, just slowly thoughts would begin to pop into my head about her. Occasionally the Hail Mary will pop into my head and I will say it. Listening to people talk about his relationship with her and how she is our mother is exciting now instead of only scary or confusing. I imagine that as I go along in this journey this all will only become even more true!

Ecumenism: The Church and Other Religions

How should today's church reach out to people of other faiths?

The biggest way we should be reaching out to people of other faiths is simply as individuals in the way we live our daily lives. We need to be loving to those around us, we need to be joyful, we need to be forgiving. we should also be open about our faith. It doesn't mean we have to stand on the street corners and be obnoxious about it. We simply need to be open, to not be afraid to mention going to Mass when talking about what we did over the weekend, to pray in public, or to mention when God has helped us in some way. When we both act like Christians should and are open about why we act that way, it will do wonders to draw people to Christ.

The other important thing is to be knowledgeable about out faith and about other faiths. If we don't have a clue what we believe or have at least a basic understanding why be believe as we do, it will be awful hard to explain that to others when they ask. It also helps to know at least a little bit about what others believe. We can use the similarities as jumping off points in conversations and be more able to explain the differences. Also, when we are more educated about other's beliefs, they will be more willing to listen and we won't waste time arguing about something they don't even really believe!

The Church: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic

The church as prophet should speak the truth; the church as priest should draw people to God; the curch as king should use its authority to serve the needs of people. In today's world, on which issues should the church take a prophetic stand? Which spiritual needs should the church address? Which people should the church serve in a special way?

The church needs to take a prophetic stand o issues related to the poor and making sure everyon has the basic necessities of life. It needs to address violence in the world.

The church needs to address the various ways in which people are searching for God. It needs to figure out how to best relate to people where they are while still maintaining the doctrine and traditions of the Church.

The church needs to serve the poor, the neglected children, people suffering from various diseases, the abused, and those who have been discriminated against.

People of God: The Christian Community

It is impossible to be a Christian and not be a member of the Christian church. Do you agree with this statement or not? Explain.

Whether or not I agree with this statement first depends on which meaning of church is being referred to. If it is referring to the church as "the universal community of believers," then I would agree with the statement. Using this definition a Christian is one who is by definition part of the Church.

Using the other ways of referring to the church, "the assembly of believers at the liturgy" or "the local parish community," the issue becomes a little more complicated. I would have a hard time saying it is impossible to be a Christian and not be part of a local church, there are always exceptions to the rule, the guy living in the middle of no where with no access to a church or other believers.

I would, however, fully agree that as a general rule, it would be very difficult to be a Christian without being part of a local community. God created us to need each other, we are communal. We need the encouragement and support of those around us. We need the people around us to challenge us to grow in our faith. We need the sacraments to grow in grace. And the sacraments require a priest and happen in the context of worship in the church. We need the local church

The Pope

So I was reading a long in my "This is Our Faith" book today and got to the part about the Pope and the Magisterium of the Church. It seems to me that the whole Jesus and Peter and the Pope thing is really the most important thing to "get" in all of this. I mean if I accept that Jesus give Peter the keys to the kingdom and the Pope is the successor of Peter, then everything else pretty much falls into place. I was convinced that the Pope is the successor of Peter and that Peter was given authority by Jesus and I had a pretty decent grasp on the whole thing, but I really "GOT" it today as I was reading.

As an outsider the impression you kind of get of the Pope is that he is totally in charge of the whole church and what he says goes, no matter what. It kind of seems like he has all this authority over everything and can do and say whatever he wants. And then everyone has to just agree with him no matter what. He is the almighty ruler of the Church. When I stop to think about it, I know in my head that isn't how it works, but that is kind of the impression you get.

So I was reading today and I get to this:

The bishops as a group, in union with the pope, teach infallibly when teachin or protecting Christ's revelation concerning belief or morality. The same Holy Spirit who directs the pope and the whole body of the faithful also directs the college of bishops.

Although the individual bishops do not enjoy the prerogative of infallibility, they can nevertheless proclaim Christ's doctrine infallibly. . . This kind of teaching is best exemplified when the bishops meet together and teach with the pope in an ecumenical council.

This really just made in click! The pope isn't just this lone island out there by himself saying whatever he wants. This whole thing is done in community! It is worked out in the community of the bishops, priests, the whole church, the communion of the saints, and most importantly Christ. The pope is surrounded by scholars and advisors and talks to all of these people. He isn't just pulling infallible doctrines out of no where and making them "law." They are based on thousands of years of history and on the council of those around him and on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

I suppose this really shouldn't surprise me, I might have even figured it out if I had sat down and thought about it, but it really just all of a sudden clicked today as I was reading. I'm glad since I really do consider this probally the most important thing to get. And now I do!

The Blessed Trinity: Unity in Community

What does the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity reveal to you about God? about reality? about your own life?

The doctrine of the Trinity reminds me that while we can know and reason out some things about God, at the same time, he is still a great mystery. We can think about the Trinity and try and explain it using things around us, but ultimately, it is a mystery. There is something totally "other" about it. And that is good. What kind of God would God be if we could totally explain everything?!

The Trinity also reminds me that there is more to life than that which I can experience with my senses. There are lots of things that I can touch, see, hear, taste, and smell, but there are also lots of things that I have toe experience in a different way. I have to let go and allow God to speak to my heart and my soul. And even though I may not totally understand it, just like I don't totally understand the Trinity, that is ok. It doesn't make it any less real or improtant, only different.

The doctrine of the Trinity also reminds me of the importance of community in my life. If God choose to reveal himself in this mystical relationship of the Trinity, then that says something. I need other people. And other people need me. I need the Church and I need to be an active part of it. And other people need me to be a part of their lives. God has chosen not to be only this one "thing" and I shouldn't choose to speerate myself either.

The Holy Spirit: The Power of Love

The Holy Spirit enables us to be members of God's family. This means that all others are our brothers and sisters. What is the practical meaning of this truth in your daily relations with other people?

The reality that the Holy Spirit makes us all brothers and sisters is both reassuring and demanding at the same time. It is reassuring that I don't have to do any of this alone. I am surrounded by people who love me and whom I can love, people who encourage me and whom I can encourage. I am connected to this great family, both here and around the world and throughout time. I have roots that go back thousands of years.

This great mystery is also demanding. It means that I am responsible fro the welfare of all these brothers and sisters. I can't go around treating people however I want or ignoring them altogether. I am called to love my friends, but I'm also called to love the teacher I don't really get along with, the kid who drives me cay and never listens, the person who takes my credit card at Target, the family with no food, the guy with HIV, the hungry kid on the other side of the world, the soldier fighting for the other side. In some way I am connected to each of these people. I am to treat them with love, even when it is difficult, I am to care for them, even when it requires sacrifice, and I am to pray for them. They are my brothers and sisters and that demands a lot!

Jesus: Teacher and Savior

How can you live the Paschal mystery in your daily life?

"We live the Paschal Mystery when we allow the risen Lord to live in us and help us worship God in truth and love. We live the Paschal Mystery when we serve our neighbors."


It seems there are two way sin which I can live the Paschal Mystery, in my loving worship of God and my attitude toward my neighbors. When I do things like worship at Mass, and eventually participate in the sacraments, I am celebrating Jesus, crucified, buried, and resurrected. Even when I do things like pray through out the day and cross myself, I am participating in the worship of God.

A right attitude toward my neighbors also allows me to live the Paschal Mystery. When I am kind to the person at Circle K, when I show love and forgiveness to the kids where I work, when I encourage my coworkers, when I respect the people around me, even the onces who ignore me, when I am kind to the parents, even the ones I strongly dissagree with, I am doing these things for Christ. My love for Jesus is demonstrated in the way I treat those around me.

Jesus: Lord and Messiah

What is your favorite gospel story about Jesus? What does it reveal about him? What might this choice be saying about your own image of Jesus?

One of my favorite Gospel stories is that of Jesus blessing the children in Mark 10v13-16. I can picture Jesus standing there and all of these anzious parents and grandparents and friends pushing their way through the crowds. The disciples, well intentioned yet seriously mistake,
are trying to push them back. But Jesus stops them and firmly, yet lovingly rebukes them.

This story reminds me how much God loves each of us from the oldest grandmother to the newborn baby, from the most "important" head of state to the lonely abandoned child on the street begging for food. And plain old me, somewhere in the middle. It also reminds me how important children are in the life of the Church. Jesus say the children as important now, not just as part of the future, and he blessed them and touched them and loved them now. And he told the disciples they had something to learn from them, just as we do today. We can learn from their joy and enthusiasm. We can learn from their simple faith and many questions. We can learn from those great jewels of wisdom that can only come from the mouth of a child.

I think this passage often sticks out at me because I spend so much time working with children. These are the talents and passions God has given me. II have seen the love and joy through children. I have tried to answer their many questions. I have heard the little nuggets of wisdom. And at the same time it reminds me that even when they don't listen and run around like crazy manics, there is still something for God to teach me. And often I act the same wya towards God. He still love me, so my job is to still love them.

God: Our Loving Creator

If scripture is God's inspired word, then it should play a central role in Christian life. Prayerfully read and reflect on next Sunday's readings. What do these readings reveal about God? What do they reveal about you?

Wisdom 9v13-18b; Psalm 90; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14v25-33

When I read the Psalm, it reminds me of how big and totally "Other" that God is. God existed before any of this amazing creation. And even things that seem so old to me, like the Grand Canyon, were made only a second ago in the time frame of God. And yet somehow God still loves and care for me, as an individual.

In the passage from Luke, this totally "other" God wants me to follow him and be his disciple. He calls me to leave everything behind, everything that is familiar to me, even family, and to take up my cross and follow Him. It demands my allegiance. But even as he say this, he tells me it won't be easy and I should "count the cost." I need to decide if I'm willing to do this, if I'm willing to give over everything to him.

The Philemon passage again reminds me that the true discipleship God deserves is hard. Paul knows what the right thing to do is, but he still struggles with it. I can imagine that Onesimus is having similar feelings. When I know I am following God, I want it to be easy and I want all those problems from the past to disappear , but they don't. It isn't going to happen. I still have to face them and deal with them with the wisdom God gives me.

The passage from Wisdom reminds me I can't do any of this on my own. My plans are timid and unsure, but God has sent us his Holy Spirit, giving us the ability to truly follow him. The Holy Spirit leads and guides me to which path I should be taking. Even when my own wisdom fails me, the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit will keep me going where I need to.

The Existence of God

What proof for God's existence do you find most convincing? How have you seen God acting in your life?

One of the major ways I see proof fro the existence of God is through his creation. I can see his power and might in the majestic mountains, the crashing waves, in the thunderstorm. I see his creativity in the individuality of snowflakes, the variety of people and animals, in sunsets. I see his concern for details in the way all of our cells work together to form a person, in the intricate wildflower, the way atoms interact with each other to create "new" things. I see creation pointing to God in light being both a wave and a particle at the same time as Jesus is both human and divine, in our minds and beings and souls being greater than just the sum of our parts. God has truly made "his eternal power and divine nature... understood and seen through the things he has made."

The other place I can clearly see God is through his action and calling in my life. I can see the way he prepared me to receive him long before I began to think of him. I can see the way he created me, the desires he placed in my heart, and the people around me, even when I claimed not to believe in him, as preparation for a later time. I can see the way he worked things out in his perfect timing, even when I didn't understand what was going on at the time. I can see how he created me with certain gifts and passions and how he has used those in my life. I have seen the ways he has spoken to me through the Bible, through other people, through circumstances, and directly to my heart.

"This is Our Faith"

For my Profession of Faith "class" they gave us a book called This is Our Faith: A Catholic Catechism for Adults. We are supposed to just read it on our own, and then there are discussion questions at the end of each chapter and we are supposed to write at least a paragraph on one of them and turn those in.

So far it is going well, except I can tell my only problem is going to be slowing down a bit. What can I say? I like to read! A LOT! That is always my problems with any of those books where you are supposed to read a chapter a day, I always want to keep going! Oh well!

So I figured I would go ahead and post the things I've written here while I'm at it. I'll go ahead and include the question too so it may make a little more sense!